Chapter Eighty-Seven: On Track

  Le Ping Gongzhu had her own princess mansion, although several princes fought fiercely recently, but her place was still very safe. Since Mu Nan Sheng's death, she closed the door and didn't go out.

  Now Yang Yunqiu has entered the capital, she instead ran to the gate of the imperial palace and knelt down without leaving.

  She was dressed in a full set of princess attire, and as soon as she knelt down, the guards brought by Yang Yunqiu couldn't just drive her away without asking for instructions, so they had to report layer by layer, startling Yang Yunqiu.

  He had just spent the whole morning arguing with a group of old officials from the Ministry of Rites, all with white hair and beards, over simplifying the coronation ceremony. After finally sending off these old men, Wang Yi walked in with a silly grin on his face.

  As soon as he came in, his whole body leaned on the desk, "That Princess Le Ping and my ex-girlfriend are really alike, especially that cold and icy taste, it's simply, simply can't be described."

  Gao Ming stood on one side with a head full of fog: "Just now everyone ignored you, how did you see that they were good?"

  "What I want is for her to ignore me, if she were willing to pay attention to me, I would feel uninterested." Wang Yi's face was filled with infatuation, his breathing seemed to exhale a hint of pink.

  Yang Yunqiu couldn't help but laugh, knowing Wang Yi's problem - if a girl liked him, he would ignore her, but those who didn't give him face, he had to pursue.

  "What? Are you saying that after I ascend to the throne, I should grant you a royal marriage?"

  Yang Yunqiu arranged the final position for Wang Yi, of course, is the prime minister, but he has to start from the middle book and slowly run up, which is also a kind of trial and a good experience.

  Le Ping Gongzhu is twenty-five years old this year. Although she has been placed on the earth, she is still as beautiful as a flower. At this time, she is already half an old woman. However, since she is still young, if Yang Yunqiu wants to show her kindness, the best way would be to find another good family for her. But if he really does so, according to the princess's temperament, she will surely die of anger.

  Wang Yi obviously knew this, rolled his eyes and said speechlessly: "I can't afford it, even if I think she's quite charming with that little face, I don't have the energy to accept a confused princess who can be taken advantage of at will."

  He scored more than thirty points higher than Liu Sheng, it's not a joke.

  "What does the princess want to do?"

  Yang Yunqiu took out a Go board and played against Wang Yi, smiling and asking.

  "It's not like we want to take the two former princes and princesses to the imperial palace to be raised. King Yi sighed, "Actually, I think it would be better to give the two children to her, so we don't have to worry about arranging for them."

  Wang Yi just said that the two former princes are just a facade and a signboard, but also a trouble. They are different from those who participated in the rebellion and were suppressed. They are Mu Nan Song's biological sons. If someone uses their name to rebel after they are released, even if Yang Yunqiu doesn't care, it's not a good thing. To avoid these unnecessary troubles, it's better to leave them in the palace. On the one hand, it shows the new emperor's benevolence, and on the other hand, it is easier to control.

  Yang Yunqiu ordered on the day he entered Beijing to have them raised in the palace.

  As the sky gradually darkened, it was said that Princess Le Ping had not left yet, so Yang Yunqiu ordered someone to go out and send her a cloak, a cushion, and hot noodles. Regardless of whether she appreciated it or not, they all did their best to save face.

  Unexpectedly, Princess Le Ping was indeed a patient person. She actually knelt for an entire night until she fainted and had to be carried back to the princess's mansion. However, Yang Yunqiu only allowed someone to say one sentence to her, after which she obediently retreated to the princess's mansion and never came out again to cause trouble.

  Le Ping Gong Zhu was always the most favored princess of the Yin Dynasty and also the only one.

  Her princess mansion is located in the most prosperous area of the capital, covering a vast area. Originally, it was a place where music and dance were performed every night. The biggest characteristic of this princess from childhood to adulthood is that she likes handsome men. Even after marrying her husband, she still kept a group of handsome men at home.

  But now, all the former prosperity and grandeur no longer exist, the princess's mansion is pitch black, without a single sound.

  Le Ping sat in front of the window, tightly grasping a black cat pendant in her hand. She recalled the words spoken by the gentle and smiling eunuch at that time: The two princes were born in the palace and grew up in the palace. The emperor would raise them as his younger brothers and naturally ensure their safety for life. But if they left the imperial palace, who could guarantee that the two princes wouldn't die young due to catching a cold or encountering an accident on the road?

  "I'm confused."

  Le Ping gritted her teeth, that day her mind was very confused, Sun Zhaoyang's few words made her dizzy and disoriented, and she actually ran to the imperial palace to cause trouble.

  A cold wind blew by and she shivered.

  Taking advantage of the moonlight outside the window, Le Ping turned her head to take a glance at the brightly polished copper mirror. The temples seemed to have been dyed with frost color. She remembered that three years ago when she and Gu Lang were most intimate, Gu Lang always said that after marrying for several years, her face would not age, still being a lovely young girl. Who would have thought that the words were still in her ears, but the person's face had completely changed? In just a short period of time, she had already become old and withered like this.

  The once famous and spoiled Princess Jiao, who was notorious for her arrogance and recklessness in the capital city, where is she now?

  Tears rolled down, and her heart was filled with unspeakable distress. She knew Sun Zhaoming, that year the Emperor had favored this number one scholar, and even wanted to betroth her to him. But at that time she was unwilling, she didn't want to marry an ordinary illegitimate son. Although she liked handsome men, she was also a normal daughter of a good family, and in her imagination, her future husband must be a great hero with supreme benevolence and bravery.

  As she grew older, she married Gu Lang. The Gu family was a prominent clan with a hundred years of history, and Gu Lang was also an outstanding member of the aristocratic family. Even if he wasn't a hero, he still met her expectations for a husband.

  There were also a few years of deep affection, and the upbringing of the young master was good. He had a gentle and elegant temperament and would not take concubines to humiliate himself. Unfortunately, he still let himself know that Gu Lang had long had someone in his heart, the daughter of the Xia family in Beijing, who had grown up together since childhood and had a very good relationship. However, the princess was bestowed upon him, and if he did not obey the imperial edict, it would also harm the Gu family. Gu Lang could only compromise and marry her, pretending to be happy and joyful.

  At that time, she was furious, but unfortunately, no matter how capable she was, she couldn't control people's hearts. She didn't want to make a scene and let those women who were already jealous of her watch the commotion. So days went by in a dull way. After all, she was a princess, and the servants didn't dare to offend her. Gu Lang didn't even dare to see that woman again.

  She thought that the most miserable thing in her life was this, but she never expected that in just a few years, her father would pass away, her brothers would fight each other, wars would break out frequently, the court would change hands, and Gu Lang would still die in the chaos.

  Those trivial matters of romance and love affairs in the past seem no heavier than a feather compared with the current situation where the country is on the verge of collapse.

  A woman's sorrow cannot affect the grand trend of the world.

  The Yin Dynasty was destroyed, and the new dynasty's national title is Huaxia.

  Yang Yunqiu ascended to the throne in early spring, and the grand ceremony was simple yet solemn. Tens of thousands of imperial guardsmen performed a military parade in front of the Tianhua Gate, celebrating the birth of the new dynasty.

  To be honest, being an emperor isn't all that great, especially at the beginning when there are countless things to deal with. You have to appease the officials from the previous dynasty, compete with those cunning and powerful aristocratic families, hold imperial examinations, and widely recruit talented individuals. Fortunately, Yang had been in office for ten years in Dongchuan and had accumulated a number of talents. His group of students also had more than twenty people who came over to this side. All of these were absolutely trustworthy and loyal, even if they didn't have much experience. They were still very helpful, with the support of the world behind them.

  Busy until the beginning of spring, busy after the Spring Festival, send people to comprehensively promote Dongchuan's farming technology and cultivated good breeds throughout the court, and also comfort the disaster-stricken refugees in various places, organize them to return home, exempt from one year's tax labor, those aristocratic families destroyed by war, also want to prevent them from reviving with the spring breeze, Yang Yunqiu doesn't even want new aristocratic families to rise.

  Arrange all matters, those students at home are eager to make the most of every minute. Just as they were about to prepare for the imperial examination and recruit talented scholars, Yang Yunqiu received a letter from Quanzhou, reminding him that he still had a pair of cheap parents there.

  At the beginning of the chaotic world, a group of bandits attacked Quanzhou. Sun Zifu fought back but couldn't win, and even thought about surrendering to those people who didn't agree. It seemed like they wanted to slaughter all the wealthy families in Quanzhou. So he took his family and fled overnight, almost escaping the pursuit, and was rescued by Yang Yuaqiu's men at the base and taken back to the villa on Wenshan.

  During the war-torn days, they didn't leave the Zhuangzi for a single step. The outside news was completely cut off. Sun Zhifu was obviously frightened out of his wits and was trembling with fear every day, not daring to take half a step away from the Zhuangzi. Yu Shi was worried about her son Sun Zhao Yang, but unfortunately, at that time, Sun Zhao Yang was also in a critical moment and didn't have time for his parents, and no news came over.

  Everything is back to normal now, and the underlings from Zhuangzi's side have been sending messages non-stop, with an ulterior motive, telling Yang Yinquiu to hurry up and get rid of this family of Buddhas. Although they have moved back to the old Sun mansion, they already know the specific location of Zhuangzi's place and will come to soak in the hot springs every now and then, which is almost like a magpie occupying a crow's nest. If things continue like this, even the nearby base may be exposed, and because the new dynasty has just been established, it needs manpower, with people coming and going from Earth every day, and there are also many materials being gathered and dispersed, all relying on the base, how can they let them stay in the vicinity for a long time?

  Yang Yunqiu then issued an order to have the current local officials of Quanzhou escort Sun Zhifu and his wife, as well as Chen Jinniang, to the capital.

  On this side, Sun Zhifu was hiding in the villa and heard the news from his subordinate that when Sun Zhao Ming ascended to the throne as Emperor, he was still confused and didn't dare to believe it - how did his illegitimate son inexplicably become the emperor?

  Will this land be inherited by their grandson's family?

  Even the current governor of Quanzhou and other officials, as well as the heads of various prominent families, came to pay their respects, speaking in a flattering tone, only then did he feel somewhat authentic.

  Magistrate Sun really wanted to put on a stern face, but he couldn't help but curve up the corners of his mouth.

  At this time, his only hope was to live a stable life and wait for the end of the chaotic world. He hoped that their Sun family could still leave some descendants behind and not be destroyed. Unexpectedly, he was given a big meat pie out of the blue.

  Yu's face was also dull, but the first thing she thought of was: "What about Ah Yang? How is he doing, is he okay?" Sun Zhaoming that bastard is now sitting on the dragon chair, with his relationship with Ah Yang... Ah Yang won't be tortured by him, will he?

  Chen Jü-niang was stunned when she heard the news.

  Magistrate Sun returned home, his entire being was like one who had been injected with chicken blood, abnormally excited. Those aristocratic families and wealthy households that used to look down on him and didn't take him seriously were now all rushing to fawn upon him.

  If someone else ascended to the throne, these aristocratic families wouldn't pay too much attention. After all, there are thousand-year-old aristocratic families, but no thousand-year-old dynasties. Who knows what will happen in the future? But Yang Yunqiu is different. The strength of their Dongchuan army is plain to see. These aristocratic families are well-informed and have long heard that the combat power of the Dongchuan army is extraordinary, almost as if it's not from this world. Moreover, just looking at Dongchuan, which was not even considered poor, but far inferior to a small place in the capital, has undergone earth-shaking changes in less than ten years. Those who went there to do business couldn't help but think of staying forever and never returning home, saying that the place is like the words of saints, where the young are taught and the old are supported, everyone eats meat every day, and medical treatment is free - a utopian society.

  Even if the rumors are discounted, it still shows that Sun Zhaoming is not an ordinary person. These aristocratic families have been defeated in the war and their households have declined, with only a few people left. At this time, it's better to follow the imperial power.

  Quanzhou is no exception.

  Magistrate Sun receives several guests every day, it can be said that he is enjoying himself so much that he has forgotten about his hometown, and someone even introduces their daughter to him, of course, this is Yang Yurong's idea.

  Yang Yunqiu is old and unmarried, which was once a topic of gossip. Now that the position of Empress is vacant, many people have become more cautious in their thoughts.

  It's obvious that the new emperor is lonely, apart from a maid who followed him and was promoted to a first-class female official in charge of the harem, there isn't even an empress, let alone any imperial concubines. Even if one of his own daughters entered the palace, it would be a good thing for her to become a noble consort, even if she wasn't the empress.

  At first, Sun Zhifu was overjoyed every day, just waiting for Sun Chao to send someone to pick him up and take him into the palace. He had a whole house full of new clothes made, but as he waited, month after month passed, winter gave way to spring, and still there was no news at all.

  Rumors gradually spread that the Emperor did not want to have a Taishang Huang above him, after all, the Emperor was only a son born of a concubine. If he were to welcome his father into the capital, how would his elder brother born of the empress be arranged?

  The emperor himself won the world, without relying on his family's power, and making a Taishang Huangdi is worthless. If he doesn't let people enter the capital, although it will bring criticism in terms of etiquette and law, it can reduce a lot of trouble, just see how the emperor chooses.

  These rumors, Sun Zhifu originally did not believe, but after waiting and waiting, he couldn't help but have doubts in his heart, feeling restless, and his previous thoughts of drinking and feasting also faded a bit. Fortunately, after the spring festival passed, Sun Zhao Ming issued an edict ordering the Quanzhou prefect to send them to the capital, only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

  Sun's family arrived in the capital, Yang Yunqiu took out some time to personally welcome them, and respectfully appointed Sun Zhi as the Supreme Emperor, Yu Shi and Chen Juniang both became the Empress of the Supreme Emperor, one for the East Palace and one for the West Palace, making a good show of it. Then they settled Sun's family in the best imperial garden - Shangfeng Garden.

  Wang Yi was delighted to see that his own emperor had actually demoted two empress dowagers, and he was so happy that he almost couldn't stand up straight. Although there was a precedent for this in the previous dynasty, it wasn't exactly a good one.

  But Yang Yunqiu was not afraid of being scolded and was not afraid of the history books being written randomly. This little thing, he did it, no big deal.

  Moreover, doing so has its advantages. At least Yu Shi would constantly ask Yang Yunqiu to grant her son Sun Zhaoyang a reward, at least giving him a king's position with real power, and even wanting to choose the fiefdom herself, without needing Yang Yunqiu to say anything, Chen Jinniang could handle it easily.

  He would never again establish a vassal king; even if someone were to be made king, he would not be given land to rule over, only a stipend.

  In the imperial court, there were a thousand threads and ten thousand strands, but Yang Yunqiu had many people to help him, and with the support of another world behind him, he was able to sort things out smoothly at first, and gradually get on the right track.

  Although a series of new policies have greatly reduced the privileges of the wealthy and powerful families, making many people dissatisfied, Yang Yunqiu had already deliberately attacked these local tyrants during the war. Now they are still dissatisfied, but it's manageable.

  After a decade of development, Dongchuan has entered a new era. After countless mistakes and corrections, the political system implemented by Dongchuan today has greatly weakened the power of clans, and government governance has penetrated deep into rural areas, roughly in line with the development of the current era. It can be slowly replicated nationwide, and even if problems arise, there is a strong army as a backing to solve them.

  Recently, Yang Yunqiu and Wang Yi have been selecting core students again. They are choosing students who are ambitious in politics, preferably with political experience. These students can be directly placed in the imperial court for training and then sent to local areas where they can be put to use immediately. It's worth noting that the method of cultivating talent in later generations is still quite valuable. Even if they don't have experience, as long as they've learned a lot and aren't afraid to make mistakes, and can maintain a bottom line, each one can govern a region.

  After the imperial examination, the scholars who were tormented by the exam questions would have liked to go to the imperial palace and strike the bell.

  Yang Yunqiu did not choose those students who could write flowery articles, but instead suddenly promoted a group of young people who were not familiar with Confucianism to govern the lower levels. Many old ministers who were dissatisfied with the new emperor and had been forced into retirement were waiting to see him make a fool of himself, thinking that this young emperor would mess up the court system and wondering what would happen to him when he was forced to reappoint them. However, it turned out that these young officials were almost all ignorant in Confucianism, but they governed rigidly and implemented the emperor's policies one by one without major mistakes. Occasionally, some small problems arose, but they were quickly resolved.

  Time flies, three years passed in the blink of an eye.

  It was only three years, and the Huaxia dynasty was thriving, with small uprisings in various places being pacified. Although it's not yet very obvious, the lives of ordinary people are changing daily, factories are springing up like bamboo shoots after rain all over the country, many large-scale machines that people used to only occasionally see in Dongchuan are now everywhere, water conservancy facilities are constantly being built, and construction teams in various places are working hard to build roads.

  Many people returned home and didn't dare recognize their hometown.

  Even the most dissatisfied officials can only accept their fate, and gradually get used to it. Although the power of being an official is not as great as before, and they have lost the power to decide life and death, at least it is safe. The emperor does not kill any officials, if you make a mistake, he will at most dismiss you from your position and no longer use you. Even if you scold him to his face, as long as you don't commit any crimes, he won't hold a grudge.

  Moreover, with more silver in hand and improved family conditions, the good things that were previously unimaginable are now abundant in the market. The meat that was once unaffordable is now eaten to the point of boredom every day. Life is going smoothly, so it seems that the current imperial court isn't too bad after all.

  To put it bluntly, during the Shang Dynasty, the feudal system had not yet developed to a deep-seated level. Before the Shang Dynasty, there was a century of chaos, and people only sought warmth, food, and peace; everything else came second. Although this war was not too long, it thoroughly destroyed those deeply rooted aristocratic families on this land, leaving behind only fallen aristocrats. Furthermore, Yang Yuqiu did not act according to conventional logic, moving too quickly and giving them no time to react, which is why things went so smoothly.